Other recipients of the 40 Heroes Award include Volker Beck, a member of the German Bundestag who has been a preeminent European leader in GLBT civil rights; Bishop Gene Robinson; Congressman Barney Frank; MTV; Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights; and others.

Bourassa and Varnell will receive a 40 Heroes Award on a large stage in front of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the site where the first annual and organized gay and lesbian rights demonstration took place on July 4, 1965. These pre-Stonewall protests from 1965 to 1969 launched the international Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Movement.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will unveil a Historical Marker designating the area as the birthplace of the GLBT Movement It is believed to be only the second official marker designating a site significant to GLBT Civil Rights.

Equality Forum 2005 & National Celebration (April 25 to May 1) features over 100 programs, including 14 parties and 40 special events. More than 105 state, regional, national and international non-profit organizations and 30 national and international GLBT Executive Directors will be participating. Thirty (30) states, D.C. and Puerto Rico will hold State Receptions on Saturday, April 30.

The 16-hour National Celebration on Independence Mall includes the Gay Pioneers & 40 Heroes Tribute, the SundayOUT street festival, screenings of the documentary Gay Pioneers, an Interfaith Service with Bishop Gene Robinson at historic Christ Church, a Gay Icons Pavilion at the Independence Visitors Center, Conversations with Gay Leaders at the National Constitution Center, a National Celebration Concert with Cyndi Lauper, celebrities, and parties.